Help in identifying microwave part

Microwave Repair
1

Please make sure to click on General above and select the correct appliance type first.

Brand:Whirlpool
**Model Number:**GH7208XRS5
Main Symptom: Excessive steam in microwave
What happens & when: Heating liquids or baking potatoes

Error Code (if any): No codes
Parts or tests already tried:
Photos / video link:

I have a Whirlpool GH7208XRS5 microwave and is having a problem evacuating steam from the inside, e.g. when warming any liquids or baking potatoes, it steams the door and everything inside. Exhaust fan forks good, evacuating any smells from the stove to the outside.

I found 2 fans listed but I am not sure which one is correct.
One is:
“Whirlpool Part# 8206075 Fan Motor (OEM)”
and another is:
“Whirlpool Part# WP8206069 Fan Motor (OEM)”.

Or could this be a humidity sensor failing?

I am having a hard time identifying it on the exploded view. And I am trying to avoid taking the unit down and apart to verify it.

3

If you’re specifically asking about when excess steam develops inside a GH7208XRS5, there isn’t a single fixed time because it depends on the food load, moisture content, and cooking mode. However, the steam buildup usually follows predictable patterns based on the heating cycle being used.

During Microwave Cooking

The microwave heats water molecules throughout the food almost immediately.

  • Light steam may appear within 1–3 minutes for foods with high moisture content.

  • Significant steam buildup often begins around 3–8 minutes into cooking.

  • Covered foods, vegetables, potatoes, rice, soups, and leftovers can produce heavy steam even sooner.

In this mode, the appliance is using the:

  • Magnetron

  • High-voltage system

  • Turntable rotation

  • Power cycling controlled by the electronic control board

At less than 100% power, the control board cycles the magnetron on and off. For example, 50% power may operate the magnetron roughly half the time and rest half the time.

During Convection Cooking

Steam develops more gradually because the food is heated from the outside inward.

  • Steam typically becomes noticeable after 10–20 minutes of cooking.

  • Foods with high moisture content may release substantial steam during preheat and the first part of the bake cycle.

The heating cycle uses:

  • Convection heater

  • Convection fan

  • Temperature sensor

  • Control board cycling the heater on and off to maintain temperature

During SpeedCook (Microwave + Convection)

This is the mode most likely to generate what customers describe as “excess steam.”

  • Steam can begin forming within 2–5 minutes because microwave energy rapidly heats water inside the food.

  • The convection system simultaneously heats the cavity air, causing moisture to evaporate quickly.

  • Steam production often peaks during the first 5–15 minutes of cooking.

The heating cycle uses:

  • Magnetron operating at programmed power levels

  • Convection heater

  • Convection fan

  • Control board coordinating both heat sources

Why Steam Appears Excessive

The GH7208XRS5 cavity is essentially a sealed cooking chamber. When foods containing a lot of water are heated:

  1. Water in the food turns to vapor.

  2. Vapor accumulates in the cavity.

  3. Cooler surfaces such as the door glass and grille area cause condensation.

  4. The user sees fogging, dripping, or large amounts of steam escaping when the door is opened.

This is generally normal unless:

  • Water is dripping from places other than the cavity or door area.

  • Steam is escaping around damaged door seals.

  • The vent fan is not operating properly.

  • There are error codes or overheating symptoms.

For a specific customer complaint involving “excess steam,” the most useful details are:

  • What food was being cooked?

  • Which cooking mode was selected (Microwave, Convection, or SpeedCook)?

  • Approximately how many minutes into the cycle the steam became excessive?

  • Was the vent fan running?

Those details can help identify the exact heating cycle that was active when the steam buildup occurred.

4

Thank you for your note.

As I mentioned in original post, microwave is Whirlpool GH7208XRS5.

Condensation is showing-up pretty much within first 60 seconds of usse, no matter if warming bowl of milk or baking potatoes. It did not do it when it was new.

My understanding is that there are 2 fans inside: one that evacuates fumes from the stovetop underneath (this one works perfectly) and second that pull the circulates.evacuates smells/humidity from inside the microwave. It is controlled by humidity sensor.

I am trying to identify this fan and replace it.

Thank you.

5

This is the only interior fan and motor we were able to locate 8206075 Fan Motor | Genuine Whirlpool OEM In Stock

There also is a convection fan for cooling the microwave WP8206069 Fan Motor | Genuine Whirlpool OEM In Stock